Community Background Report

Coral Terrace

County

Miami-Dade

Boundaries

North: S.W. 8th Street
South: S.W. 40th Street
West: S.W. 82nd Avenue
East: S.W. 67th Avenue (Ludlam Road)

Community Type

Neighborhood

History

Coral Terrace grew out of an early history similar to that of its surrounding neighborhoods. This history includes agricultural, then residential development, after draining the land in the early 1900s. In the first decade of the twentieth century, residents were growing a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, and coconut, lime, orange, and mango were among the fruit trees cultivated. In the years just following the conclusion of World War II, many ex-soldiers were able to afford newly built homes in the area. Coral Terrace was then a working to middle class neighborhood, usually not given the attention afforded its more affluent neighbors in Coral Gables. In the late 1950s, construction of the Palmetto Expressway (State Road 826) defined the neighborhood’s westernmost boundary, and shortened the duration of trips residents made to the northern beaches or the southern agricultural areas. Coral Terrace was now linked with other suburban developments on the western edges of the City of Miami. With a population boom evident by the early 1960s, the “West Dade Expressway” was identified as in need of additional lanes and exchanges by 1968 (Palmetto Expressway).

The Census Bureau identified Coral Terrace as a Place in 1990, and again in 2000. Though this neighborhood was perhaps too weak for incorporation in the 1990s, it was included within the boundaries defined by Community Council 10 in 1996. The 1996 Board of County Commissioners created Community Council 10, a quasi-governmental entity, which provided a structure to address local zoning issues, and to provide training for the expertise necessary to future municipalities (Moreno, 2006). The boundaries of Community Council 10 were drawn to limit the number of Councils within the county, and as such, were inclusive of several neighborhoods then in existence. Although the Census Bureau recognized places such as Coral Terrace, Community Council boundaries were more inclusive, and at times drawn solely upon the basis of the unincorporated area within County Commission Districts. The current boundaries of the Council include Coral Terrace, Westchester, areas attractive for annexation such as “Little Gables”, and several other neighborhoods, thus diluting the sense of community in each of these neighborhoods.

Though Coral Terrace does have an elementary school, which provides a point of community focus, it lacks the mass of community and leadership necessary for strong neighborhoods. Schendley Park, a smaller area within Coral Terrace, benefits from boundaries defining the community’s interests and a strong homeowner’s association (Davis, 2006).

Community Dynamics

In 2017, Coral Terrace had a population of approximately 24,700, with a median age of 44.6 and a median household income of $54,136. Between 2016 and 2017, the population of Coral Terrace grew from 23,983 to 24,723, a 3.09% increase, and its median household income grew from $50,516 to $54,136, a 7.17% increase. The population of Coral Terrace is 87.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.06% White Alone, and 1.49% Black or African American Alone. A non-English language is spoken by 85.8% of the population, and 75.1% are U.S. citizens. The median property value in Coral Terrace is $290,800, and the homeownership rate is 70.1%. Between 2016 and 2017, the median property value increased from $272,400 to $290,800, a 6.75% increase. The homeownership rate in Coral Terrace (70.1%) is higher than the national average of 63.9%.

Business Landscape

The economy of Coral Terrace employs 12.3k people. The largest industries in Coral Terrace are health care and social assistance (1,887 people), construction (1,481 people), and retail trade (1,199 people). The median property value in Coral Terrace was $290,800 in 2017. Coral Terrace has AD Doug Barnes Park, many retail strip malls, and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Transportation

The major roads in Coral Terrace are SR 826, SW 57th Ave., SW 8th Street/US 41, Coral Way/SW 24th Street, and Bird Road/SW 40th Street. Bus lines numbered 82, 24, and 57 serve Coral Terrace.